Passion to Profit: Transforming Your Passion into a Side Hustle
We asked ten successful entrepreneurs, including a co-founder and Chief Editor and a COO, to share their experiences and lessons learned from turning their passion into a successful side business or venture. From the importance of time and effort in a website venture to focusing on less competition in an automation role, these leaders offer valuable insights and key lessons to inspire your entrepreneurial journey.
- Website Venture: Time and Effort Pay Off
- Writing Freelance: Diversify and Adapt
- Tech Ventures: Bridging Knowledge Gaps
- Vehicle Repair Business: Preparation is Key
- Medical Device Business: Power of Perseverance
- Home and Garden Business: Value Your Expertise
- Vehicle Business: Uniqueness Attracts Consumers
- Baking Business: Networking is Powerful
- Travel Business: Passion for “Why” Matters
- Automation Role: Less Competition, More Focus
Website Venture: Time and Effort Pay Off
In my early days, I had the urge to start something on the side. I had always wanted my own website and thought this could be a good way to make some additional money. After buying a website on cocktails, I put a lot of effort and time into learning content strategy and SEO, which led to me selling it a year later at double the price I paid.
After this, I started multiple websites, with the majority turning a profit. What I learned from this is that a passion can make you money, but you need to be willing to sacrifice the time to achieve it.
Steven Wright
Co-Founder and Chief Editor, Lifestyle to the MAX
Writing Freelance: Diversify and Adapt
I’ve always been passionate about writing and helping others communicate their message effectively. I started doing freelance writing on the side while I was still employed full-time. I learned that I needed to build up a portfolio and establish myself as an expert in my field before I could take the plunge and go full-time with my side business.
I also learned that I needed to diversify my income streams and not rely solely on freelance writing. I started offering other services such as copy editing and proofreading, and I also began teaching writing workshops.
Ultimately, I learned I needed to be flexible and open-minded, and that I needed to adapt my business model as needed in order to be successful.
Matthew Ramirez
Co-Founder, USMLE Test Prep
Tech Ventures: Bridging Knowledge Gaps
Since I was a kid, I’ve been tinkering, problem-solving, and turning ideas into reality. Remember stringing a piece of string to turn on and off my lights at age 10? Yep, that’s me!
This curiosity and passion carried me through the decades. In the ’80s, I was setting up PCs; in the ’90s, I was getting companies online and launching startups. It felt as natural as breathing to me, but I realized not everyone saw it that way.
I turned this passion into various ventures, creating solutions for those who found tech challenging. The key lesson? Understanding that what seems simple to me might be complex for others and bridging that gap. It’s not just about having the know-how but translating it into something everyone can benefit from. That’s the magic ingredient in turning a passion into a thriving side business. It’s been a thrilling ride, and I haven’t stopped since!
Scott Pier
Founder and CEO, Donalo.ai
Vehicle Repair Business: Preparation is Key
My passion for vehicles started at a young age, but converting my passion into a business is something else. When I turned my passion for vehicle repair into a successful side business, there was one key lesson I learned: preparation is essential.
You must have a plan to start because, without a plan, nothing goes smoothly. In my case, I had to find a proper location where I could manage my work and provide my services. I am happy that all went well for me as I made a proper plan to go.
David Bui
Director and Business Specialist, Schmicko
Medical Device Business: Power of Perseverance
I successfully turned my passion and skills in the medical device industry into a full-time business. That same business now has exclusive rights to distribute some of the top medical devices to the US market.
A key lesson I learned in building this business, alongside my business partner, is to never give up. Sometimes in any new venture where things get tricky. In those moments, believe in yourself and your vision more than ever before, and that’s when success will follow.
John Mooney
President, IML
Home and Garden Business: Value Your Expertise
I’ve always been passionate about anything home and garden, so it took little contemplating on my part whether I wanted to turn it into a side business or not. How did I do it? The single most important step is taking that leap forward into the unknown. You might fail, but at least you tried, and it was for something you’re passionate about.
A key lesson I learned is the importance of valuing time and expertise. Initially, I struggled with pricing my services competitively. Through trial and error, I realized that underpricing not only devalued my work but also hindered my ability to sustain and grow my business. This lesson taught me to set prices that reflect the value of my work and the unique skills I bring to my clients.
Turning a passion into a successful side business requires dedication, continuous learning, and a willingness to adapt based on feedback and experiences!
Ben McInerney
Director, Private Exterminator
Vehicle Business: Uniqueness Attracts Consumers
It is difficult to turn a passion into a successful business. This is based on personal experience with such difficulties while turning a passion for vehicles into a business. It was hard to start, but if you are providing something unique, you will quickly stand out from the competition.
One key lesson learned was that consumers value uniqueness above everything else—if you can differentiate yourself or offer something truly special, then they will take notice quickly. When people switch over from shopping on price alone, it allows for prices to rise and profits to increase as well.
James McNally
Managing Director, SDVH [Self Drive Vehicle Hire]
Baking Business: Networking is Powerful
I used networking to turn my love of baking into a successful side business. I started baking specialty cakes for friends and family because I really enjoy making tasty treats. Word-of-mouth led to an enormous increase in demand, which made me start an online platform to show off my creations. One of the most important things I learned was how powerful networking can be.
By going to local events and being active on social media, I could meet other bakers and potential customers. This not only gave me more clients but also gave me the chance to learn new things and work with interesting people. The secret to my success was combining my passion with good networking skills. It showed that building genuine relationships can be just as important as the product itself.
Leonidas Sfyris
CTO, Need A Fixer
Travel Business: Passion for “Why” Matters
Any new side business or venture you go after is going to force you to face many obstacles and will challenge you regularly. One of the most important ways to succeed and overcome these challenges is to find something you truly love doing.
I started a travel business because, not only do I love traveling and exploring fresh places, but I also enjoy helping others and creating something they will enjoy. You have to not only have a passion for what you do, but also why you do it. The “razzle-dazzle” of what you do can wear away and make it difficult to face the challenges of owning your own business, but having a strong passion for your “why” will give you so much more strength to face the obstacles.
Sarah Newbanks
Travel Advisor, The Explorer Travel Co
Automation Role: Less Competition, More Focus
I spent a large part of my software engineering career on customer-facing applications. Despite that, I always most enjoyed automations internal to the business itself. Some of this may have been because there was always an abundance of low-hanging fruit, and it’s much easier to compete in a place where there is very little competition.
My passion for business operations and internal automation ultimately led to my current role, where that is the entirety of my focus.
Trevor Ewen
COO, QBench
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